Vande Bharat Boosts Maharashtra’s Connectivity

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching the Ajni (Nagpur)–Pune Vande Bharat Express, a landmark addition to India’s semi-high-speed rail network. The train, inaugurated virtually by PM Modi from Bengaluru on Sunday, August 10, 2025, marks Maharashtra’s 12th Vande Bharat service and the longest route in the country, covering 881 kilometers in just 12 hours.

The launch ceremony at Nagpur Railway Station’s Platform No. 8 was attended by Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, senior railway officials, and local dignitaries. The train, operating three times a week, connects key cities and towns along the Wardha–Akola–Shegaon–Bhusawal–Jalgaon–Manmad–Ahmednagar–Daund corridor, significantly enhancing connectivity between Vidarbha, North Maharashtra, and Pune, the state’s cultural and academic hub.

Fadnavis highlighted the train’s importance in addressing long-standing travel challenges. “The number of travelers from Vidarbha Ascot City, we requested the Railway Minister for this service, and with PM Modi’s leadership, this dream has become reality.” The train’s modern amenities, including automatic temperature control, panoramic windows, bio-vacuum toilets, and CCTV surveillance, promise a world-class experience, particularly for families, students, and senior citizens.

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The Nagpur–Pune Vande Bharat Express is a game-changer for traders, professionals, and tourists, connecting Nagpur, known as the “Orange City” and “Tiger Capital,” with Pune, a major educational and IT center. Passengers have praised its comfort and speed, with one commuter noting, “It’s a dream fulfilled, especially for children and seniors who found bus travel challenging.”

However, Fadnavis pointed out a drawback in the current route, which detours via Ahilyanagar and Daund, adding over 100 kilometers to the journey. To address this, he proposed a direct route from Nagpur to Pune, which would also benefit the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). “We’ve offered to integrate the new Sambhajinagar–Ahilyanagar–Pune expressway with the rail network by providing additional right of way, reducing both distance and travel time,” he added.

The launch, part of PM Modi’s flagging off of three Vande Bharat trains, underscores the government’s commitment to modernizing Indian Railways. With 72 Vande Bharat services now operational across 24 states and union territories, and plans for over 200 more in the next three years, the initiative is transforming regional connectivity.

As Maharashtra celebrates this milestone, the Nagpur–Pune Vande Bharat Express promises to boost commerce, education, and tourism, making travel faster, more comfortable, and accessible for all.

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